28 October 2025 – news on Local Government Reorganisation
In a press release the Ministry of Housing. Communities and Local Government has announced plans for restructuring of local authorities in Surrey.
Waverley together with Guildford, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne will form the new West Surrey Council.
The BBC reports that these councils have a combined debt of £4.5 bn. Woking owes £2.1 bn, Spelthorne owes £1 bn.
By contrast, those councils merging into East Surrey owe a total of £285 m.
Central Government has allocated £500 mn to cover part of the combined debt inherited by West Surrey. It is not clear whether further funding will be provided or whether Farnham will be required to take on a proportion of the massive debt.
